“I deserve this” is the mantra Marissa uses to justify her affair. “I deserve this” is the belief that helps Marissa accept the consequences of her actions.
A fateful encounter leads Marissa, a devoted housewife, back into the workforce where she lands a job as the assistant to Jason McIntyre, a prominent literary agent. Unbeknownst to her, she becomes entangled in his captivating web of seduction, gradually convincing herself that she is destined for a life beyond what her husband, Mike, can provide.
It’s only when the illusion of her infidelity shatters around her that she realises the magnitude of what she has lost.
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“So, how was your first day?” Jason McIntyre smiled at Marissa, his new assistant. Jason’s smile was charming and would make anyone who it was aimed at feel like they were the only person in the room. It was the same smile he used when he offered Marissa her job and with that one smile, it made it impossible for Marissa to turn it down.
Marissa spent her career working in the literary world, working her way up, proofreading, liaising with publishers and now was working as the assistant to one of the most important literary agents in the industry. That Jason McIntyre was handsome and charming, his soft Scottish lilt adding to it, was a perk. Marissa was over forty now, though, and thought herself immune to falling for such charms.
“Fascinating! Marissa replied excitedly. “I knew you represented so many famous authors but I had no idea how many!”
“That is because we do not interfere in their artistic process or demand unreasonable changes,” Jason explained. “We just tell them what sells. Why don’t you go home? It’s getting late. Tomorrow we can start planning your duties,” Jason said with a wink which Marissa saw through the reflection of her monitor, prompting her to give a girlish giggle. He gently massaged Marissa’s shoulders as he spoke. Marissa had to stifle a moan; his strong hands felt so good on her shoulders. There was something about Jason, he just made the world appear so much more exciting.
Marissa’s job was a huge and unexpected advancement in her career. She was to liaise with the authors Jason currently represented and try to persuade other authors to come to them on Jason’s behalf. It was a cutthroat world and it came with a big salary.
Marissa lived a comfortable and happy suburban life with her husband, Mike, and two children, Izzy, twelve, and Jack, 10. Mike had a well-paid and secure job as a team leader in an IT department so money was never an issue. The children saw friends and did activities in their free time. However, Izzy and Jack just didn’t need their mother’s time anymore and she had begun to get bored and alone at home so Marissa agreed with her husband that she could return to focus on her career.
A chance meeting with Jason McIntyre himself at a literary conference led to the job offer. The job was a dream come true and it significantly boosted her and Mike’s household income. Their future now looked bright and full of possibilities.
Marissa settled into her job quickly and she was enthusiastic in her duties. When on conference calls she marvelled at how smooth Jason was and how at ease he made her feel in his company. Assistant and boss exchanged phone numbers and began to regularly message each other in the evenings and on weekends which would always bring an excited smile to her face.
“Who’re you messaging?” Mike would ask, irritated that his wife’s attention was focused elsewhere.
“Jason,” Marissa replied off-handedly as she focused on her messages. “He is chasing Margaret Earlwood, the author of the Debbie Walsh Mysteries books.”
“Impressive, but does he have to message you when you’re at home? Also, I don’t like how secretive you are when you do it. Why do you always hide your phone when I look at it?”
“Because discretion is part of the job. I do it to protect you from seeing something you shouldn’t. I don’t want you to mention something private by accident. To be successful in the literary world, you often have to work out of hours in case you miss your chance! You sometimes have to work out of hours and so do I,” Marissa explained to her husband more irritably than she meant to. “Besides it’s exciting to talk to a successful man.”
That last comment stung Mike hard. Marissa had always been proud of his achievements, at least he thought she had.
“You don’t think I’m successful?” Mike asked sounding hurt.
“I’m sorry, Mike. That was uncalled for,” Marissa apologised guiltily. “I shouldn’t have said that, it was wrong of me but you have to admit his International Literary Agent of the Year Award is a bit more impressive than an Employee of the Month award and a £50 Amazon voucher.”
“I made sure employees on low wages got paid on time for that award. Does a literary agent do that?”
“Mike, you need to understand that what Jason does is a bigger deal! Working for Jason is an amazing opportunity for me and for us!” Marissa told him firmly shutting down their argument.
Marissa’s constant messaging with Jason became a rift between her and Mike. All Mike wanted was an evening as a family or just the two of them without Marissa’s phone interrupting them. They began to argue about it constantly and neither of them would back down.
“Are you okay, Marissa?” Jason asked on seeing his assistant staring into space pensively. His charming smile made her feel happy as it always did, his silvery hair reflecting the sunlight coming through the window made him appear to almost have a halo.
Marissa smiled weakly, “I’m fine, Jason. It’s just that Mike doesn’t appreciate the demands of the job. He just doesn’t get how big a deal this job is for me. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for so long. I feel like he is holding me back like he is jealous because his job is so ordinary and this one is so full of possibilities.”
Jason smiled again and walked over to Marissa’s desk to sit on it.
“I understand,” he told her looking concerned and taking hold of her hand. “This line of work can be demanding on families. I want to tell you that I am very happy with your performance and I do appreciate what you are doing for me,” and he gave Marissa’s hand a soft, slow kiss. “Speaking of which,” Jason said brightly changing the subject, “I have a dinner meeting with a publisher to sell a new author to them and I would like you to attend. Can you make it?”
“Of course, I would love to,” Marissa exclaimed breathlessly.
“Great! Be at L’Escargot at 7pm on the 23rd and dress to impress. It may be business but you will be expected to wear evening wear.”
Marissa touched the hand Jason kissed. Her heart was racing so fast.
Sean Dalton Erotic 